There is a distinct romance to train journey that no other mode of transport can match. It forces you to slow down. A vision of snow-capped peaks, dusty outback, and shimmering beaches that you are actually traveling through rather than just flying over, it frames the planet like a moving oil painting.
For the modern traveler, a train journey isn’t just a way to get from one place to another; it is the destination itself. From the slow-motion luxury of Japan to the high-tech precision of
These rail trips across Europe are worthy of being on your bucket list.
1. Tokaido Shinkansen, Japan: The Art of High-Speed Travel
Precision, bentos, and the elusive Mount Fuji.
The Shinkansen is a feat of efficiency, not just a train. However, in addition to the 300 km/h speeds, the Tokyo-Osaka route provides an intriguing cross-section of Japan, which in a matter of seconds shifts from neon-lit urban sprawl to tranquil rice paddies and tea plantations.
The Insider Experience:
The real joy of the Shinkansen is the Ekiben (station bento box). Before you board at Tokyo Station, head to Ekiben Matsuri on the first floor. They sell over 170 varieties from across Japan. Grab a self-heating eel or wagyu beef box to enjoy as the countryside whizzes by.
* Seat Selection: This is critical. If traveling from Tokyo to Osaka, book an “E” seat. This places you on the right side of the train, giving you the best chance to see Mount Fuji (weather permitting) about 45 minutes into the trip.
* Best Time to Ride: Late autumn or winter offers the crispest air and the highest probability of a clear view of Fuji-san.
2. The Riviera Railway, France & Italy: A Commute with a View
Pastel villages, azure waters, and the glamour of the Côte d’Azur.
Forget the cramped tour buses; the regional train connecting Nice (France) to Ventimiglia (Italy) is arguably the most beautiful public transport route in Europe. The tracks hug the coastline so tightly that you often feel like you’re floating above the Mediterranean.
The Insider Experience:
This is a local commuter line (TER), meaning there are no reserved seats. To secure a spot on the right-hand side (facing the sea), avoid rush hours (8-9 AM and 5-6 PM).
* Photo Op: The stretch between Villefranche-sur-Mer and Eze-sur-Mer offers uninterrupted views of the billionaire’s yachts and turquoise bays.
* Pro Tip: Hop off at Menton for lunch. It’s the last French stop before Italy, known for its lemons and pastel-colored Old Town, which feels less chaotic than Nice or Cannes.
3. The Ghan, Australia: The Red Centre Odyssey
A three-day expedition through the heart of the continent.
Stretching 2,979 kilometers from Adelaide to Darwin, The Ghan is one of the world’s few transcontinental trains. It cuts through the “Red Centre,” offering a front-row seat to the dramatic shift from green hills to the rusted-red dust of the Outback.
The Insider Experience:
The off-train excursions are the highlight here. In Katherine, skip the bus tour and upgrade to the Nitmiluk Gorge helicopter flight. Seeing the ancient 13 gorges from the air gives you a scale of the Outback that you cannot grasp from the ground.
* Onboard Vibe: If you can splurge, Platinum Service gets you double-sized cabins and free-flowing Bollinger. But the social hub is the Outback Explorer Lounge—go there at sunset to swap stories with fellow travelers.
* Best Time to Ride: June to August (Australian winter). The days are mild, and the flies are manageable.
4. Glacier Express, Switzerland: The Slowest Express Train in the World
Snow globes come to life on this eight-hour alpine crawl.
Connecting Zermatt and St. Moritz, this train averages just 24 mph—and you wouldn’t want it to go any faster. With floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows, you’ll wind through 91 tunnels and across 291 bridges, including the jaw-dropping Landwasser Viaduct.
The Insider Experience:
While the scenery is the main event, the food is a close second. Unlike many trains that use microwave meals, the Glacier Express prepares three-course lunches fresh on board.
Order the local wine; the servers pour it from a height into glasses designed not to spill on the steep gradients.
* Seat Selection: The Excellence Class (introduced recently) guarantees a window seat for every passenger, a concierge, and a five-course meal. It’s pricey, but for a once-in-a-lifetime trip, it’s worth the upgrade.
* Best Time to Ride: It’s a toss-up. Winter offers a magical Narnia-like snowscape, while late spring brings lush green valleys and waterfalls.
5. PeruRail Titicaca, Peru: High-Altitude Luxury
Pisco sours and Andes peaks on one of the world’s highest rail routes.
Traversing the Altiplano between Cusco and Puno, this journey is a 10-hour visual feast. The train climbs to a breathless 4,319 meters (14,169 ft) at La Raya pass, passing herds of alpacas and remote Andean villages.
The Insider Experience:
Spend most of your time in the Observation Car at the rear. It has an open-air balcony, which is a photographer’s dream (no glass glare!). Just dress warmly—the air is thin and crisp at this altitude.
* Onboard Highlight: The bar car is the social heart of the train, featuring a live band and a demonstration on how to make the perfect Pisco Sour.
* Pro Tip: Drink plenty of coca tea (served on board) to help with the altitude.
6. Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, Europe: The Golden Age of Travel
Art Deco glamour, black-tie dinners, and Agatha Christie vibes.
This is not just a train; it’s a time machine. The carriages are original 1920s restorations, featuring polished marquetry and Lalique glass. It is arguably the most famous train in the world, linking cities like London, Paris, Venice, and Istanbul.
The Insider Experience:
The dress code is strictly enforced and is half the fun. You can never be overdressed here. For dinner, black tie for men and evening gowns for women are the norm. Jeans are
strictly forbidden.
* Hidden Gem: Head to Bar Car ‘3674’ for a pre-dinner cocktail. It’s where the atmosphere is most electric, with a baby grand piano and a cocktail menu that harkens back to the Jazz Age.
* Best Time to Ride: Spring or Autumn. The cabins are heated but not air-conditioned (preserving the 1920s authenticity), so high summer can get warm.
7. Bergensbanen, Norway: From Fjord to Summit
Nature’s roller coaster across the roof of Norway.
Connecting Oslo and Bergen, this route is often cited as the most scenic in Northern Europe. It climbs from sea level up to the Hardangervidda plateau—Europe’s highest
mountainous plateau—before plunging into the fjord country.
The Insider Experience:
If traveling from Oslo to Bergen, sit on the left side of the train. This gives you the best views of the valleys and the dramatic descent into Myrdal.
* Pop Culture Stop: The station at Finse (1,222m) isn’t just the highest point; it served as the filming location for the ice planet Hoth in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back.
* Pro Tip: Don’t just end at Bergen. Get off at Myrdal and transfer to the Flåm Railway, one of the steepest standard-gauge lines in the world, to reach the spectacular
Aurlandsfjord.
8. Bernina Express, Switzerland & Italy: The Engineering Marvel
Glaciers to palm trees in four hours.
Often confused with the Glacier Express, the Bernina Express runs north-south from Chur (Switzerland) to Tirano (Italy). It is a UNESCO World Heritage site, famous for the
The Brusio Spiral Viaduct, where the train loops 360 degrees to adjust altitude.
The Insider Experience:
Unlike the Glacier Express, the windows here can open in some carriages (or have photo-friendly sections), which is crucial for glare-free photography. The scenery shifts dramatically from the icy glaciers of the Bernina Pass to the Mediterranean palm trees of Italy in just a few hours.
* Photo Op: Be ready for Lago Bianco, a milky-white glacial lake at the summit, and the spiraling viaduct near the end of the line.
* Best Time to Ride: Year-round. The red train against the white snow in winter is iconic, but the contrast of green valleys and blue skies in summer is equally stunning.
The Final Whistle
In an era of budget airlines and rush-hour traffic, these journeys remind us that travel is supposed to be an event. Whether you’re sipping champagne in a 1920s carriage or watching kangaroos race the train in the Outback, the magic lies in the motion.
So next time you’re planning a trip, don’t just book a flight. Check the rail schedules. You might find that the journey is better than the destination.